"Be it ever so humble," Aaron comments as he and Layth enter the unoccupied cabin. The older Lapi gestures to the hammocks, and asks, "Top or bottom?"

"Well, if I have the choice … top, Master Lightfoot. That way I do not have to fear someone falling on me in the night," Layth replies as he walks slowly about the cabin, examining it. "I didn't know you were a eunuch," he adds after examining the picture a bit.

Aaron coughs loudly. "I'm NOT, that's… just a picture!" the Lapi sputters.

"Really? This picture really indicates otherwise," Layth notes, turning his head to consider the smaller Lapi. His gaze travels downward.

"A-hem!" Aaron says, clearing his throat. "The artist took liberties, since it was quite obvious at the time that I was not a eunuch."

The corners of Layth's mouth twitch. "Well, now I think I understand your rejection of Lady Circerae… " he says and shakes his head slowly. "Tsk. Poor fellow."

"First Ones, you're as bad as Anisa," Aaron mutters, and sits in the lower hammock. "And you'd better not fall on me if we hit rough weather."

"Sir, I am as polite a Lapi as you will ever meet. I do not know what you're talking about," Layth says, putting his hand over his heart.

Glaring at the other buck now, Aaron says, "You know, you should at least have the decency to make fun of me in Silent Sign, like a proper slave."

"I'm not really a slave any more, you know," Layth points out, then waves his hand placatingly. "As for the picture, it's cute in its own way, and I'm sure Lady Tasha put you up to it. If you were afraid of comments, Master Lightfoot, you should not have posed."

"She tricked me with nakedness," Aaron says in his own defense. "And the longer you stay around Aisha, the more familiar you'll become with female methods of mind control," he warns.

"Ah, so you have a weakness for women, then," Layth observes.

Ears drooping, Aaron asks, "And you don't?"

"I never exactly had a choice to date anyone before, so I've never really thought about it," Layth notes and crouches down. "That way it wouldn't bother me."

"You sound like a full-blooded Amazonian, that's for sure," Aaron comments, and swings his legs up into the hammock so he can lie back. "Slow to excite."

"The world looks a lot different when your life isn't your own, Master Lightfoot," Layth points out. "Plus … well … exciting me, ah. Think of it this way, when you're also stronger and larger than most, it becomes easier to hurt them unintentionally."

"Well, maybe you'll find a nice solid Amazonian girl to take home," Aaron says, smirking.

Layth laughs. "I think you have that backwards, Master Lightfoot. Given your apparent attraction to Lady Tasha, you're one to talk," he notes.

"So, I like big strong women," Aaron says, shrugging. "Doesn't mean I'd want to marry one."

"I get the impression you don't want to marry at all, sir," Layth points out, then shrugs. "You can't, ah … enjoy the strong women once you marry."

"I plan on marrying a strong woman," Aaron notes. "Just not a big one."

"Do tell?" Layth inquires, tilting his head. He brushes his lop-ears out of the way.

"A doe from Rephidim. Runs her own gym. Nice family," Aaron says, and that seems to be all he's going to say on it.

"I wish you the best with that, Master Lightfoot. You're lucky," Layth replies and heads over to the hammocks. He grips the upper hammock, then pushes off the wall to get up into the netting.

"You're the one who'll need luck, dealing with Aisha," Aaron comments. "She's a handful, although probably doesn't seem so now."

"Oh, I can imagine, sir. She has a stubborn streak, and doesn't want to ask for help, even when she needs it," Layth replies as he settles into the hammock. "Like earlier, she was cold, but at the same time didn't seem to want any help fixing that. I offered her any blankets I may have on this trip as I'm fine without."

"That's the tip of the mountain," Aaron says. "For instance… she's going to be cranky in the morning, and for the rest of the journey to Parthos at least, because she's used to soft, overstuffed beds instead of thinly padded airship bunks."

"Well, Lady Circerae will be waking up with her, not me. So she gets the morning cranky," Layth remarks and puts his arms under the back of his head. "As for her bed being thin … perhaps I can scavenge something to help with that. Couple extra blankets and it'll be softer. Or, she's welcome to nap against me. Thick fur has some advantages."

"Be careful what you wish for," Aaron warns. "She sometimes drools in her sleep. I know because she took over my house when she arrived in Rephidim, and the pillows were often soggy."

Layth waves one of his hands over the edge of his hammock. "I traveled in caravans. Being a little wet is no issue for me," he notes. "I am here to protect her and look after her, after all. Her needs come first."

"Her safety comes first, you mean," Aaron points out. "Her comfort is secondary. She's led a fairly sheltered life so far, and needs to understand that not everything can always go her way."

"Well, not exactly. Her father wishes she learn to behave more like the does of Abu Dhabi," Layth replies. "Toughening her up would … well … go against that, would it not?"

"The does of Abu Dhabi are protected, but they also understand that they're protected," Aaron says, a bit more softly. "Aisha doesn't really grasp that yet. She doesn't have to be toughened up, she just needs to learn to accept protection from someone else."

"Mmm," Layth remarks, considering the comment. "What does she enjoy, by the way? She needs to learn to relax more. She's too serious."

"Chamber music, swimming – something that's a rare treat in Abu Dhabi - dancing, umm," Aaron recites, chewing the tip of his black ear while he thinks. "Some sort of sport involving sticks with nets on the end… and a ball. Running, of course. Probably some sort of needlecraft, unless she absolutely hates it. Not big on traditional doe skills."

"Ah. Some of those I could indulge her with. The music and dancing ones, at least," Layth notes and nods. He pushes against the wall and gets his hammock swinging slowly. "How about Lady Circerae or you? Well, other than tormenting Lady Tasha."

"Calli likes grooming," Aaron says. "She doesn't have the head for numbers that Aisha does, but she understands how to work people better. I know she's learned a lot of card games, but frankly I don't know what she'd do for fun. It took some time just to get her to grasp the idea of 'leisure' in the first place."

"Between you and me, I've been a bit concerned Lady Circerae would tear my arm off if I tried to groom her," Layth confides.

Aaron blinks at this, and laughs! "She's Amazonian… she's got almost no sense of personal space or privacy. She'd be more welcoming of it than Aisha would."

"She's not exactly approachable, though," Layth points out, then shrugs. "And between you and me, I think she would like it if you groomed her… "

"I've done my share of it, to keep her calmed down," Aaron admits. "Not sure just how panicked she is about going home empty-handed, but it could get worse the closer we get to Parthos."

"She's upset, I know that much. When you were out having a … shiny pants picture made with Tasha, Lady Circerae came in and practically crawled into Lady Aisha's lap. She looked so tired and upset," Layth tells Aaron.

"Well, she's a young woman removed from everything she's ever known," Aaron says, nodding while his hammock sways. "Eventually the bravado has to break."

"Mmm, true enough, I suppose. I guess I should be thankful I spent most of my life travelling, or working with a myriad of people and skills. You meet a lot of unusual people in the Harem Club," Layth notes and dangles one foot over the edge of the hammock. "So, I'm probably more used to different customs than she is."

Aaron asks, "You worked in the Harem Club? You have no right to tease me about wearing shiny pants then."

"Of course not. I wore things a lot more … risqué than those pants," Layth notes and laughs quietly. "But, I felt better knowing I wasn't the only one who's had to dress like that."

"Just what do they teach you there, anyway?" Aaron asks, his voice lowering to a whisper.

"Well, how to please people, to use a generic sort of phrase, Master Lightfoot," Layth explains. "They explained what various species like. For example, the Khatta like to be flattered, which is unlike what Lady Tasha would enjoy, if you understand my meaning. They also teach massage, some grooming, music, and even, well … things I shouldn't mention in respectable company."

"Oh, personal assistant and charm school stuff?" Aaron asks, his voice going back to normal.

"For the most part, yes. They offer more intimate services to those with the money, of course," Layth replies and sways his foot slowly.

"You did that sort of work as well?" Aaron asks, sounding a bit shocked. "Or were just trained for it?"

Layth coughs. "Such is not a polite thing to ask, or answer, Master Lightfoot," the buck says.

"Okay," Aaron says, quieting down for a moment. "I'll have to introduce you to my cousin in Dianus," he eventually says.

"But to answer, I was instructed, but never had to do. I traveled often enough that it never came up," Layth says and shrugs. "Who is your cousin?"

"Roland," Aaron says. "The priapus of Clan Kerebos, unless he's recently retired."

"The … ah, I see," Layth replies. The buck remains quiet for a bit, then says finally, "I've never exactly wanted such a role. Some people enjoy it, I suppose but … You would probably be better at it than I."

"Eh, no thanks," the older buck says. "I'd want to know my children."

Layth leans over slightly to look down at Aaron. "Fair enough. Besides … I forgot that you, ah… ," he teases, then winks.

"Have a girlfriend?" Aaron suggests as the conclusion to that statement, scowling up at Layth.

"As you say, sir," Layth says, smiling kindly. "Please, forgive my … jabs as they are. I haven't been around many I felt I could be somewhat open with."

"What, you've never traveled with Lapis before?" Aaron asks, sounding curious.

"Mostly Khatta," Layth admits. "My master was a Khatta, and the caravans were also mostly Khatta."

Aaron thinks about that for a bit. "I suppose all the routes changed after Elamoore vanished. There used to be more Lapi caravans then."

"Perhaps," Layth notes and says, "I know little of Elamoore, so I can't say."

"Oh well, you'll get used to your own kind on this trip, I hope," Aaron says, swinging back and forth. "Or else you'll be very uncomfortable."

Layth chuckles. "I'll be fine," he says. "I have you as a mentor, after all," he says flatly. He may be joking, he may not…

"Me? I had enough trouble teaching Calli," Aaron says.

"Of course, master of the shiny pants," Layth intones, then grins. "In all honesty, I would just appreciate a chance to just talk to you now and then. You are, so far, the least crazy."

"Gee, that's the nicest thing anyone has said to me in… well, some time," Aaron replies. "So sure, if you have any questions, just tug on my ears."

"Tug, yes. I won't chew like Lady Circerae does," Layth notes, then looks around the room for blankets. "Which reminds me, I told Lady Aisha I would bring her extra blankets."

"It should be safe to go over there now," Aaron suggests. "I've no idea where captain bird-brain keeps the linens though."

Layth hops down from the upper hammock, landing with a quiet thump. He goes to the door and peers out, looking for the captain.

There are few crew on deck, mainly standing about looking ready in case something actually happens – but no sign of the captain. Maybe he's a night owl.

"I'm going to go look. See you later," Layth says, then slips out the door and heads towards one of the crewmen. "Good eve and a thousand pardons for bothering you, sir. Can you tell me where the captain is?"

"Eh?" the crewman asks, blinking as if he were standing at attention, yet somehow also asleep. The Skreek looks up a bit at Layth, and says, "Oooer, you a biggun' aintcha? What you want the cap'n for?"

"Ah, yes, I suppose I'm big. I wanted to ask him where he kept the blankets. Lady Aisha is cold," the buck explains. "I don't need one myself, my fur keeps me plenty warm."

"Down in the bunk room, o'course," the rat says, and gestures towards the hatch. "Where else would we keep 'em, 'cept by the beds?"

"A linen closet, of course," Layth answers and then bows. "Thank you, sir." The buck turns and heads towards the hatch. May as well go to the bunkroom.

The main gangway runs forward right through the bunkroom, where the beds of the crew simply form the 'walls' of the passage. At the very bottom of each stack of bunks are several drawers, and two tall lockers frame the end of the rows. Beyond the lockers is the door to the forward storage pantry, which at the moment is housing Aisha and Calligenia.

Layth whistles quietly to himself as he searches for an extra blanket for both Aisha and Calligenia. "Lots of Skreeks onboard," he then comments to himself.

The crew who are off shift and sleeping tend to snore, so if anyone was awake to overhear the comment, they don't respond. Eventually, one of the lockers proves to have extra blankets in it.

Layth collects the extra blankets quietly and closes the locker. The buck then heads down the hallway to the room where they two does are staying. Before knocking, he leans in and listens, making sure he's not interrupting anything.

There could be whispering, but the door is thick and the two does can certainly whisper quietly enough not to be overheard by another Lapi.

Layth taps lightly on the door. "Lady Aisha, Lady Circerae?" he inquires quietly. "It's me, Layth… "

There is a moment of quiet, followed by the sound of something heavy being dragged away from the door. Then it opens a bit; the room beyond dark save for a single small candle. "What do you want?" Aisha whispers through the narrow opening.

Layth holds up the blankets for her to see. "The extra blankets I promised," the buck answers. "A thousand pardons if I've woken or disturbed you."

"It's alright," the doe answers, opening the door a little wider so Layth can enter. "It's a bit cramped in here, be careful."

Layth slips past the door carefully. "I won't stay long," he says quietly. "It was probably wise of you to barricade the door as you did."

"Barricade?" the golden doe asks. She's wearing the most unflattering nightshirt imaginable, decorated with little embroidered carrots.

"I heard something sliding away from the door. I presumed you pushed things against it to keep the crew out," Layth explains and looks for a place to sit down.

There's a large crate, clearly what was pushed aside, near the door. Between the fold down bunks and the group's luggage, there really isn't much room at all. "Oh, we just have to move that out of the way to make room," Aisha explains. Calligenia is already in her bunk, and thoughtfully pulled the blanket up to her neck for Layth's sake.

"I brought two blankets, one for each of you. Would you like one, Lady Circerae?" Layth inquires, then glances back at the nightshirt Aisha wears.

"No, thank you, Layth," Calli says. "One is enough for me."

"I'll take it then," Aisha offers. "I can use the extra to pad the bed a bit. It's awfully hard. Although I imagine you probably have it rougher, Layth."

"In all honestly, yes, Lady Aisha," Layth answers. Instead of giving it to her, though, he goes over to her bunk and starts folding and laying it down in an attempt to make it softer. "Is there anything else I can do for the honored jewels of Abu Dhabi and Dianus?"

"It is difficult to tell the time of day in here," Calli notes. "Could you be sure to wake us in the morning?"

"Of course, Lady Circerae. I planned to make sure you were both properly groomed in the morning as well," Layth replies, satisfied with the repadded bed. He then puts the second blanket on it and folds it down so Aisha can easily get in.

Aisha squeezes past Layth to sit on the bunk, and says, "Thank you Layth, this is much better."

Layth smiles to Aisha. "I'm glad, milady," he says and bows very slightly to her. "The hammocks above are decently comfortable," he then tells Calli. "I believe Master Lightfoot is most comfortable."

"Good for him," Calli says, sounding unconcerned.

"You had seem… " Layth starts to say, then lets it go. "If there is nothing else, then I shall leave the two of you for the evening. "I apologize again for any disturbance I caused."

"I'm glad you came by, Layth," Aisha says, getting into position to move the crate back once the door is closed. "I was worried that something might have happened to you."

"Worried about me? Why so?" Layth asks, pausing and looking at the doe curiously.

"The crew on this airship seem so… rough," the doe replies. "They don't even have uniforms."

"I'll be fine, milady. I am … durable," Layth replies and then takes her hand. The buck kisses the back of it, then adds, "Your concern honors me more than I deserve."

Aisha blushes at the gesture, but turns her ears down to try and hide it. "Well… sleep well then, Layth," she quietly says.

The buck pauses, then asks, "Would you prefer I stay here tonight in case the crew tries something?"

"Oh… uh, no, that will be alright," Aisha says. "I mean, we'll be alright, in here."

"As you like, milady. If any of them bother you or make unwanted advances, please tell me and I will address it," Layth replies and then bows to both does. "Sleep well, both of you. I will see you in the morning."

"Thank you again, Layth," Aisha says, and does a little bow.

"It was my pleasure, milady," Layth replies and slips out the door. He remains outside while it's closed and the box is pushed back against it.

He can just make out the sound of a candle being blown out, after the crate bumps up against the door.

Layth listens a moment longer for anything said, then heads down the corridor again.

There still isn't any sign of the captain as Layth makes his way back up to the deck and into the cabin. Aaron already looks like he's asleep, with his ears folded forward across his face.

Layth looks back towards the door, still a bit worried about leaving Aisha down near the rest of the crew. But, it is what she ordered, and besides, Lady Circerae is with her. As quietly as he can, the buck climbs back into the upper hammock and gets comfortable. He folds his hands together on his chest and lets his eyes close. The morning will come quickly enough and he'll have two ladies to take care of.